I have been EXTREMELY lucky in that I have never had to do sex work. I was able to get my degree and use it helping trans kids and GLB youth in Chicago. Then I was able to get a job in a supportive company. Even so, we have had some bouts regarding use of the bathroom. Also, I was born in a state that will not change my birth certificate no matter what I do - my documentation will always be miss-matched (Insurance card with and drivers license say "F", Passport and Social Security say "M").
However, you are absolutely correct. Finding mainstream employment is VERY hard. One study in San Francisco shows that Trans women on average have BA or higher degree and make less than $20K/ year. So, even when employed many TGs need to subsidize their income in less legal ways. Couple that with insurance (when you can get it) that won't pay for any trans-related care and you have a system that creates sex workers and keeps them there. It's not like you can use your former years as an escort to land that sweet job at IBM.
This is one of those areas where allies are critical in a political movement. There is legislation in the US Senate (passed the House already) that will make it illegal to use a persons sexual orientation or gender identity to deny them employment. While it won't fix anything, it will at least make a company come up with an actual valid reason not to hire someone (or more likely to fire someone) for being trans.
|